The Lead Episode 172: A Discussion of Integrated Care Management and Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment Using a mHeath-based approach in older multimorbid patients with atrial fibrillation: the AFFIRMO Cluster-Randomized Trial-The Lead Episode 172: A Discussion of Integrated Care Management and Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment Using a mHeath-based approach in older multimorbid patients with atrial fibrillation: the AFFIRMO Cluster-Randomized Trial

The Lead Episode 172: A Discussion of Integrated Care Management and Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment Using a mHeath-based approach in older multimorbid patients with atrial fibrillation: the AFFIRMO Cluster-Randomized Trial

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Video Summary

The podcast discussed the AFFIRMO cluster randomized trial, which tested an mHealth app plus integrated geriatric assessment for older, multimorbid patients with atrial fibrillation across six European countries. About 1,260 patients were enrolled, with a mean age of 74 and most already anticoagulated. The intervention aimed to improve anticoagulation adherence, AF symptom control, and comorbidity management. However, it did not significantly reduce all-cause hospitalizations at 12 months (17.1% vs 18.2% with usual care). Secondary benefits included slightly better quality of life, improved blood pressure control, and greater patient empowerment. A major issue was low app engagement, with many patients using it for only a short time. The speakers suggested the cohort was relatively healthy and well managed at baseline, making benefit harder to show. Key takeaway: digital health tools must be engaging and clearly useful to patients to demonstrate clinical impact.

Keywords

AFFIRMO trial

mHealth app

atrial fibrillation

geriatric assessment

digital health engagement